Page 93 of Bound to Three Fae Beasts

The only space available was next to Seb. He wasn’t at his usual place, either, sitting near the edge of the room rather than the back with Jasper, Gareth and the others. Flora sent me a poisonous look while Jasper and Gareth both ignored me.

“Miss Azriel, please take your seat,” Wren said from the front of the class.

I slunk to the chair next to Seb and took out my books. I kept my head down and twisted myself slightly away from him, trying to stop myself from feeling how close his presence was. He shifted in his seat and his shoulder briefly brushed against mine.

All my work last night to distract myself from my feelings dissolved. The memory of what he’d said last night burned in my mind, warring against the desire that once more stirred in me. I fought myself, struggling to write down every single word Wren said. Every little movement caught my attention from the corner of my eye. Seb writing. Seb licking his lips. Seb tilting his head toward me.

A piece of paper slid across the shared desk. We need to talk.

I ignored it, lifting my face back to Wren. She was droning on about Court Thunderwood. Gareth’s house. I should pay more attention, especially since he offered me a position as his mistress. Gods! Did that really happen? He’d told Jasper easily enough about the offer. Did he also tell Seb?

Seb, who had been so cute with his little sister. Seb, who had let Flora be all over him during the banquet. He denied her every time she tried to seduce him, yet pretended as though they were an item during an important event. I didn’t know how to read this guy.

Why did I have to be mate-bound to him? Why couldn’t it just be Jasper? For as complicated and dangerous as the relationship with Jasper was, it was nothing compared to Seb!

My body ached to be closer to him. I caught his fingers tapping the desk from the corner of my eye and remembered the magic those same fingers had worked on my body. Heat flooded in me and my core tightened. Oh, gods! How was I getting aroused sitting here in class?

Seb pushed another paper across my desk. I need to talk to you.

I grabbed it, crumpled it, and shoved it into my knapsack. We were almost free, so I started packing my things quickly. Wren glared at me, but I ignored her. Finally, we were dismissed. I grabbed my knapsack and jumped to my feet.

Freta and Silas both tried to get my attention, but I promised myself I’d catch up at next class. Soon, I was out of the door. When I glanced over my shoulder, Seb was being held up by Flora. My shoulder relaxed. Good. I was free.

I took the stairs, sticking in the thick crowds, as I headed for my next class. I was almost there when Seb emerged from behind a tapestry like a ghost. I jumped as he grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the crowd. I barely had time to squeak in protest before we were in a closet. Magical lights appeared above us as Seb turned my back against the door and pinned me here.

“Seb,” I gasped, pushing my hands against my chest. “Don’t!”

He panted as he stared at me, his dark eyes raw with want. “I can’t stay away from you anymore.”

“That’s not what you said last night.”

“I only said that to protect you.”’

I shoved at him again, clinging to my anger to avoid the desire that grew stronger between my legs. “I don’t care why you did it. It’s the truth. I’m an ugly, simple girl, and you’re resentful of our mate-bond. Isn’t that right? You’re angry that you’re drawn to me. That’s why you fight it so much.”

“That’s not true. You’re not ugly or simple. You’re sharp. You’re smart and you’re constantly taking me by surprise. I want to be near you. I’m tired of having to pretend.” He closed his eyes and lowered his forehead to mine. “I didn’t mean anything that I said last night. I’m sorry that I didn’t have a choice.”

“That’s not an apology.”

Seb opened his eyes again. Pressed this close, I could see every lash. His breath wafted warmly over my neck and I shivered. The want was getting harder to resist. But I had to! If I didn’t, what happened then? Would we have sex in this closet?

“I’m so—” he started.

I interrupted, desperate to make him pull away from me. “I had sex with Jasper.”

Chapter 41 - Seb

I locked the door as soon as I entered the Laurel room. My pulse skittered uncontrollably as I turned back to Azriel. Her hair was done up in a half-brushed ponytail and the dark circles under her eyes spoke to a sleepless night.

Gods, she was beautiful. How had I ever thought her ordinary-looking?

“You slept with Jasper?” I asked, my voice low.

She eyed me with a mix of wariness and hunger. “I did.”

Jasper had been more withdrawn lately. Since the last binding trials, in fact. Ah. “It was after your friend died. You went to him.” Instead of me.

I shouldn’t feel jealous. I’d done my best to push her away. Wasn’t this what I wanted? For there to be so much distance between us, I couldn’t consider taking her?